Sporting Lisbon have agreed a deal to sign Sunderland defender Sebastian Coates on a season-long loan deal in 2016-17.

The Uruguayan international has been on loan with the Primeira Liga giants since January and has made 13 appearances for Sporting, who are two points behind leaders and arch rivals Benfica with one game left.

A statement on Sporting’s website read: “Sporting announces that it has reached agreement with Sunderland AFC and Sebastian Coates to extend the loan until end of season 2016-2017.

“The player arrived at Alvalade last January and has been key player in defence.”

Coates made 19 appearances for Sunderland this season after joining permanently, on a four-year contract, from Liverpool in July.

He had impressed bosses enough in a loan stint at the end of last season to win the move, but saw his opportunities diminish when Sam Allardyce looked to bring in Lamine Kone in January.

Coates last featured for Sunderland in the FA Cup third round defeat at Arsenal on January 9.